Wet roadways account for more crashes

There were an unusually high number of crashes on San Diego County's rain-slicked highways and freeways Thursday, authorities said.

There were 87 accidents reported on the county's highways and freeways between midnight and 8 a.m. Of those, 33 occurred between 6 and 7 a.m., 21 occurred between 7 and 8 a.m. and 16 occurred between 8 and 9 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

Six occurred between 5 and 6 a.m. and there were 11 between midnight and 4 a.m., the agency reported on its website.

In dry weather, the CHP typically receives between 50 and 75 accident reports in the county over a 24-hour period.

Early Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for the region, advising that there would be light rain and slick roads Thursday morning, and snow in the mountains above 6,000 feet. There was also dense fog in the mountains and foothills.

Gusty west winds up to 40 miles per hour were also in the NWS forecast for the mountains and deserts Thursday.

Periods of light to moderate rain also were likely Friday through Sunday, according to the Weather Service.